YUNNAN is the 6th largest province and has the most diverse scenery in China. Situated on a plateau in southwest China, Yunnan is one of the most attractive tourist highlight in China. It ranges from tropical rain forests on the South to the snow-capped Tibetan mountains on the North. The former provides endless impressive trekking opportunities while the latter embed dozens of tiny villages and monasteries that enchant millions of tourists every year. Yunnan is also one of the most ethnic provinces in Asia, comprising over 25 minorities groups. Among the 25 groups, Bai, Dai and Yi are the three most representative ethnic groups in Yunnan.

AREA 394,000 sq.km

CAPITAL CITY Kunming

POPULATION Approximately 41 Millions

LANGUAGE Mandarin is the official language.

RELIGION Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity

LOCAL TIME GMT +8

ELECTRICITY 220V, 50 Hz Sackets: 2 pins flat at most of the local hotels

CURRENCY

The official currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB). The basic unit is the Yuan (also known as " kuai"), which equals 10 jiao (or " mao"), which is then divided into 10 fen. Paper currency comes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan notes. Paper jiao come in denominations of 1, 2, and 5. There are also 1 and 2 fen notes, but these are rarely used as their purchasing power is exactly zero.

You can cash “RMB” with your credit card at most of ATM machines in China, but you may not find machines in Yongding or Nanjing area as of now still developing.

Suggested to bring some RMB in cash if you are visiting Yongding or Nanjing.

CREDIT CARD

All kind of Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Million Card, Jetco card are accepted by most of the major hotels and shops in city.

OFFICIAL BUSINESS HOURS

Government Offices: 8:00-12:00, 14:30-18:30;

Banks: 8:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00.

Post Offices: 08:00-19:00 hrs

PHOTOGRAPHY

You are advised to bring adequate supply, including batteries and disk.

CLIMATE

Varies widely according to latitude and elevation, from subtropical in the South, to high tundra in northern areas. Normally spring and autumn are the best season to visit Yunnan Province. For more weather information please click the website :

ALTITUDE and HEALTH - There is no special inoculations are required to travel Yunnan but because of the elevation around 3200m to 3500m in average if you are travelling to Shangrila, travelers may suffer a bit of discomfort. Acclimatization is the adjustment of the human body to the diminished supply of oxygen at such altitudes. Bone marrow produces quantities of extra, new red blood cells to take several days. Mountain sickness (also called altitude sickness) is caused by an insufficient flow of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. It can affect anybody above 3000m (10,000 feet), another not until 5,500.00m (18,000 feet). The symptoms of mountain sickness include headache, nausea and shortness of breath, singly or together. About half the people arriving Tibet suffer from at least one symptom in the first 24 hrs but recover quickly.

* Stick to a schedule of mild activity and rest for the first day or tow.

* Drink plenty of tea and water (available in the room)

* Please do not smoke. If you are a chronic smoker, keep it to a minimum.

* Avoid sedatives such as sleeping pills or tranquillisers. They tend to depress respiration and limit oxygen intake. However, you may take PANADOL against headaches.

* May take DIAMOX (acetazolamide), a mild diuretic, which stimulates oxygen intake. Beware about side effects (as it is a diuretic!) One 250gm tablet on the plane from Chengdu and another at bedtime the first night in Lhasa may help to forestall discomfort . Suggested to consult your doctor before travelling

* You may also try to take iron pills, one a day, 14 days before the departure.

Feospan can be found at Watson's or consult your doctor

* Most of hotels provided oxygen in case needed.

* Suggested to consult your doctor before you travel to Northern Yunnan

TRAVEL INFORMATION

It is the passengers responsibility to obtain all required travel documents, visas and permits, and for complying with the laws, regulations, orders, demands and other travel requirements of countries of origin, destination or transit.

It’s absolutely essential to have adequate travel insurance covered, especially for the purposes of flight cancellation or delay, as it often happen due to weather condition.

WHAT TO BUY

Chinese herbs and medicine are famous in the province.

Besides, the Dali Marble Products are abundant. There are more than ten kinds of Dali

marble products, including relief sculpture, vertical sculpture, seating screen, hanging screen, fruit container, potted landscape, ashtray and decorative marbles. Yunnan tea is one of the world's quality broadleaf tea. The distinctive features of Yunnan tea are the bright color, the dense and durable taste. The finished products are classified into two groups by color and fragrance. Pu’er Tea is considered as one of the best in the province. Yunnan tea products include Yunnan green tea, Yunnan jade green tea, Yunnan mixed tea, Xuanchun tea, Hongbao, Yinzhen tea and popular jasmine tea.

GRATUITY

Tipping is considered as part of your guide’s income. Drivers and Guides are expecting some reward as a gesture of satisfaction. We suggested US$5.00 per person per day for sit-in-coach group tour and US$10.00 per person ( or similar amount in RMB ) per day tipping for private mini van driver and the local guide(s) if their services are good.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

It is advisable not to drink tap water. Instead drink boiled water in the flask or bottled-water provided by your hotel. In most cities, bottled beverages are available either in your hotel or department stores. Local beers are relatively inexpensive. There is a wide range of soft drinks or juice in bottle available at shops or store and supermarkets. Coffee or Tea is served at all hotels. However most of hotels are served local brands except in International chain hotels. Special diet like vegetarian meal cannot be made on the spot, please advise the land operator in advance, so that the arrangement can be prior to you arrival.

YOUR CHINA TOUR ARRANGEMENTS

All land arrangements within China are solely at the discretion of our land operators who control the final scheduling of sightseeing programs based on current situation of the day or period like weather, flight schedule, traffic condition etc……. Those situations are not under our control and cannot be held responsible for sudden changes.